The Herengracht is the second of Amsterdam's four canals belonging to Amsterdam's canal district. The Herengracht lies between the Singel and the Keizersgracht. It is considered Amsterdam's most important canal, where the wealthiest merchants lived in the 17th century. Today, an address on the Herengracht is still considered prestigious. The Herenmarkt is located at the beginning of the Herengracht. The square is now mainly used as a children's playground.
On the right side of Herengracht (number 48) stands the merchant's house ‘De drie Heuvelen’ from 1612. When the building was rebuilt in 1768, a beautiful moulded facade was installed. Today, the building is a national monument. On the left side of the Herengracht (number 81), you can admire Amsterdam's oldest residential house. The house was built in 1590 as a traditional merchant's house with a stepped gable. Although Amsterdam was founded in 1275, most older houses were built after 1600. At first, mainly wooden houses were built, but after a major fire in 1597 that destroyed much of the city centre, only stone houses were allowed to be built.
One of Amsterdam's finest merchant houses stands on the right side of the Herengracht and is number 172. Designed by city architect Hendrick de Keyser, the building was built in 1617. It was built for Willen van de Heuvel with the money he had inherited from his uncle Giovanni Bartalotti. After the building was finished, Willem had his name changed to Guillermo Bartalotti. In this time, he was one of the richest men in Amsterdam.
If you love a top restaurant with French cuisine, you are in a good place on the left side of the Herengracht. After all, this is where Zuid Zeeland is located. The guest book features famous names like Al Gore and Matt Damon. So worth a visit.
Another important house located on the Herengracht is the official residence of the mayor of Amsterdam. It is a 45-room double residence built in 1667. The house was only put into use as the mayor's residence in 1926; it was a gift from the Dutch Trading Company. The mayor's living quarters are mainly on the third and fourth floors, with the ground and first floors having a representative function for the municipality.
Besides residential houses, there is also a beautiful museum located on the Herengracht, called Museum Willet Holthuysen. Built in 1687, it was named after its last occupant Louisa Willet-Holthuysen. In 1895, she bequeathed the house and her art collection to the city of Amsterdam. Since then, the building has been a museum and worth visiting. Indeed, it is one of 3 historical buildings in Amsterdam where the interior from the 17th century can be seen in its original state.
Would you like to visit the Herengracht in Amsterdam and park your car nearby? Then reserve your parking space in advance at Q-Park Nieuwendijk or Q-Park Amsterdam Centraal. Would you rather park somewhere else in Amsterdam? Check out our complete offer of parking facilities in Amsterdam.
At Q-Park Nieuwendijk, you can park from €27,50 per day. This car park is within walking distance of the Herengracht. If you prefer to walk a bit longer, you can park at Q-Park Amsterdam Centraal from €32,50 per day. You are guaranteed a parking space by reserving in advance. You drive in and out based on your license plate number.